Kirsten Gillibrand Wins The New York Senate Race

U.S. Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand was elected to her first full, six-year term Tuesday night, beating opponent Wendy Long for the race in New York. ”I can’t thank you enough for the honor and privilege of continuing to serve this state and to fight for New York families in the United States Senate,” Gillibrand said tonight after her win.

Gillibrand had to run in a 2010 special election to complete Clinton’s term and then again this year for the new six-year term.

Gillibrand had a bit of an upward battle as at first her fellow New York democrats found her to be too conservative. But since taking over Senator Hillary Clinton’s term, Gillibrand focused on gay rights and women in politics to establish her liberal credibility.

“Sen. Gillibrand has proven herself to be an absolute . . . force in the United States Senate,” said Assemb. Keith Wright, co-chair of the New York State Democratic Party. “Kirsten has delivered by working across the aisle.”

Long is a staunch conservative attorney who had much less government experience than her fellow Dartmouth alum Kirsten Gillibrand. According to The New York Daily News, Long was never able to gain traction in the polls or with donors while Gillibrand was known for her fundraising prowess.